Completed in 1964 from a design by Edward Durell Stone, the Museo de Arte de Ponce is the first fully accredited museum of art in the Caribbean. The museum is noted for its collections of 17-20th century Puerto Rican paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, ethnography, and its holdings in Pre-Rephaelite art. The museum's success compelled its board of directors to initiate a master plan in 2000 to prepare for its growing audience and increased educational responsibilities.

As a result of the Master Plan Report and Schematic design created by Koutsomitis Architects, the Legislature of the Common-wealth of Puerto Rico authorized the creation of the Jose Campeche Art Education Center. Adjacent to facilities of the University of Puerto Rico and catholic University, this first phase of the Museo de Arte de Ponce expansion plan will house special exhibition galleries, studio class-rooms and lecture facilities, and will serve as a center of art education in Puerto Rico.